Basic Research Handbook City of Hope: March 2015
Basic Research Handbook City of Hope: March 2015
Basic Research Handbook City of Hope: March 2015
March 2015
City of Hope Basic Research Handbook Page |2
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION _____________________________________________________________________ 6
ONBOARDING_______________________________________________________________________ 7
NEW HIRE ORIENTATION __________________________________________________________ 8
Organizational Orientation Overview __________________________________________________ 8
Safety Orientation Overview __________________________________________________________ 8
Department Orientation Overview ____________________________________________________ 8
EMPLOYEE HEALTH SERVICES INITIAL ASSESSMENT _________________________________ 9
BUSINESS MANAGER/DIRECTOR ___________________________________________________ 9
IMMIGRATION SERVICES __________________________________________________________ 9
What Our Purpose Is ________________________________________________________________ 9
How We’re Organized _______________________________________________________________ 9
What We Do ______________________________________________________________________ 10
Definitions ________________________________________________________________________ 15
Points to Remember ________________________________________________________________ 15
LABORATORY SPACE ALLOTMENT ________________________________________________ 16
TRANSFERRING A LABORATORY __________________________________________________ 16
Hiring Staff from another Institution __________________________________________________ 16
Transferring/Shipping Animals to City of Hope ________________________________________ 17
Transferring/Shipping Animals from City of Hope ______________________________________ 17
Transfer/Shipment of Equipment ____________________________________________________ 18
Transfer/Shipment of Hazardous Materials____________________________________________ 18
Transfer/Shipment of Research Materials _____________________________________________ 18
Transfer of a Grant _________________________________________________________________ 18
SETTING UP A LABORATORY _________________________________________________________ 19
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT ______________________________ 20
What Our Purpose Is _______________________________________________________________ 20
How We’re Organized ______________________________________________________________ 20
What We Do ______________________________________________________________________ 20
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INTRODUCTION
I am pleased to provide a copy of the Basic Research Handbook. This document represents the
results of several months of work on the part of many members of the Research Operations team and
our colleagues across the City of Hope campus. Substantial time, effort, experience, and expertise
have contributed to this effort and it is my hope that the faculty and operational staff will find it
helpful.
This Handbook is aimed at supporting the COH community involved in the financial or operational
conduct of basic research. It is not my intent for this manual to be read from cover-to-cover like a
book; the goal of this document is to create a useful guidance and reference tool for the COH
research and operational community in accessing both internal and external resources.
I am hopeful that this Handbook will prove to be a “living document” that will be updated over time to
incorporate comments, suggestions, and ideas for best practices from you, as well as to reflect new
knowledge and thereby help assure compliance and efficiency in the basic research setting.
ONBOARDING
Human Resources (HR) initiates the search process to identify the
ideal candidate for a job posting, including a thorough interview
and reference check. The Office of Academic Affairs handles
Professor series recruitment. Once a candidate has been selected,
HR works with the department Business Manager/Director to
begin the onboarding process. This section identifies all the steps
needed to complete this process.
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• Organizational history
• Culture
• Mission/vision/values
• Policies and Procedures
• Performance Development and Review Process (PDRP)
• Corporate Compliance Program
• Other work environment information
The department orientation program assists new personnel in understanding departmental policies
and procedures as well as key job responsibilities.
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BUSINESS MANAGER/DIRECTOR
The Business Manager/Director is responsible for the overall management and performance of a
business unit. Management responsibilities include developing and implementing strategic plans,
operating facilities and planning space, as well as overseeing and directing business unit staff to
ensure successful operations. This includes working with other units to ensure organizational goals
are met. Financial responsibilities include implementing and maintaining the annual budgets,
research funding, capital expenditure, approve spending, and ensure profitability for the unit.
• Consult with Human Resources-Immigration Services (HR-IS) about the right type of
immigration sponsorship
• Consult with the Office of Sponsored Research (OSR) about various funding and spending
requests
• Manage and oversee research spending in consultation with Research Finance (RF) and
Grant Accounting
• Work with Human Resources (HR) when additional personnel are needed for a research
project
IMMIGRATION SERVICES
What Our Purpose Is
To ensure personnel are lawfully employed, City of Hope offers visa assistance and sponsors to
eligible foreign nationals through Human Resources-Immigration Services (HR-IS).
Immigration Services is part of the Talent Acquisition department, which is part of Human Resources.
What We Do
The following answers to frequently asked questions provides an overview of the assistance available
through Immigration Services.
• Yes. Each foreign national/international will be in a unique situation. The recruiter and the
Business Manager/Director will consult with Human Resources-Immigration Services
(HR-IS) for the right type of immigration sponsorship.
• F-1 (Student) – For international students joining or enrolled at the Irell and Manella
Graduate School of Biological Sciences.
• F-1 OPT with EAD (Student/Optional Practical Training with Employment Authorization
Document) – For students who recently graduated from a US college/university that are
allowed a period of training during or after completion of their degree.
• J-1 (Research Scholar/Short-Term Scholar) – City of Hope is only approved for two types
of J-1s: (a) Research Scholar and (b) Short-Term Scholar. The J-1 is reserved for
internationals who are at City of Hope temporarily to perform research/observe/teach. At
City of Hope, this is commonly used for postdoctoral fellows, pre-doctoral fellows and
visiting faculty/investigators/scientists.
• H-1B (Specialty Occupation) – For internationals employed in a regular position at City of
Hope. The international requires at least a bachelor’s degree and the position to be held at
City of Hope must require at least a bachelor’s degree industry-wide (e.g., a Registered
Nurse will not qualify for an H-1B even if City of Hope requires its nurses to have at least a
BSN since industry-wide an AA in Nursing is acceptable). At City of Hope, this is
commonly used for Staff Scientists, Biostatisticians, Research Associates, Information
Technology positions, etc.
• TN (Mexico and Canada Nationals) – This is similar to an H-1B but strictly reserved for
citizens of Mexico and Canada. At City of Hope, this is commonly used for Nurses and
Information Technology positions.
Processing of immigration sponsorship is complicated and varies by type of visa, where the foreign
national is coming from, where the foreign national was born, whether the foreign national is in the
United States (US) or outside the US, etc. The recruiter and Business Manager/Director will consult
with HR-IS regarding each candidate’s specific processing time.
Examples:
• J-1 postdoc transferring from another institution may take 1 month with the following
conditions: J-1 is valid, research is in the same category, postdoc is in the United States,
and HR-IS has all necessary information and documents from the department and the
postdoc.
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• H-1B staff scientist transferring from another institution may take 6-8 weeks with the
following conditions: H-1B is valid, staff scientist is in the US, and HR-IS has all necessary
information and documents from the department and the staff scientist.
• New postdoc from China may take at least 3 months with the following conditions: needs
new J-1, HR-IS has all necessary information and documents from the department and
postdoc, and postdoc is subject to administrative processing in the US consulate in China.
What is the process for initiating immigration sponsorship for a foreign national/ international
candidate or personnel?
INSZoom is the web-based, case-processing system used to process visas at City of Hope. To use,
contact the department Business Manager/Director who will most likely already have a log-in name,
password and training to use this system.
Yes. See the Immigration Sponsorship Guidelines below for reference. Consider the time limits when
sponsoring an international/foreign national.
No. HR-IS cannot guarantee a successful visa application or petition approval from the United States
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or the Department of State (DOS).
Once personnel are in the US, what is required for a Sponsoring Employer to maintain an
international/foreign national’s status?
Once City of Hope sponsors a foreign national for a visa, can he or she bring family to the US?
Yes. Spouse and children under 21 years of age may apply for a dependent visa.
Can the spouse of that foreign national work or volunteer in a lab at City of Hope?
Only if that person has a valid work authorization or work status, regardless of whether the position is
paid or unpaid. Dependent of J-1, called J-2, may apply for an Employment Authorization Document
(EAD). However, dependents of H-1B and TN are not eligible for EAD. If the spouse wishes to gain
research experience at City of Hope, the spouse should be sponsored for a visa as a principal
applicant, not a dependent.
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What should be done when an international/foreign national personnel and/or colleague requests a
reference letter for a self-petition green card petition?
Foreign nationals apply for US Permanent Resident status because their non-immigrant H‐1B, O‐1 or
J‐1 status is temporary with specific time limits and restrictions. One restriction is not being eligible to
apply for Federally‐funded research opportunities. In addition, some positions are not eligible for
company-sponsored US Permanent Resident applications, such as a Postdoctoral Fellow. Refer to the
table on the following page to determine if the personnel requesting the letter qualifies for a Self-
Petition Green Card.
Definitions
Points to Remember
• Each international/foreign national will have a unique situation. The above table is only a
guide. Always consult HR-IS for the best immigration sponsorship strategy
• Always consult HR-IS for updated fee schedule; fees are subject to change
• Due to time limits of each non-immigrant visa type, always consult HR-IS for next steps
• Due to time limits of each non-immigrant visa type, also consider the possibility of COH-
sponsored US permanent resident/green card application for every international/foreign
national hired
Ultimate authority for laboratory research space resides with the Beckman Research Institute (BRI)
Director.
TRANSFERRING A LABORATORY
Hiring Staff from another Institution
When a research project is transferred from another institution, contact the department Business
Manager/Director to discuss the possibility of City of Hope hiring staff currently working on the
project.
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Transferring or shipping ongoing animal studies to City of Hope requires close communication and
coordination between investigators and City of Hope Beckman Research Institute (BRI). Animal
based studies may only be performed under an animal use protocol approved by the City of Hope
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).
Investigators must also contact the Division of Comparative Medicine (DCM) prior to shipping
animals to City of Hope. The DCM’s Animal Resources Center (DCM/ARC) will provide assistance
with shipping and receiving, quarantine, animal health assessment and animal holding space. The
animal transfer process begins when the transferring investigator contacts the DCM/ARC shipping
coordinator. An Animal Shipping Record form (available on the DCM secure Intranet site forms
section; see E-mail User Groups regarding
access) will be provided to the transferring
investigator requesting animal health history,
strain information, veterinary contacts at the
sending institution, breeding information and
billing account numbers. This information will
be reviewed by the DCM veterinary staff prior
to a decision to approve a transfer.
All animals arriving from non-commercial (institutional) sources are placed in a quarantine holding
room. While in quarantine, they will receive preventive treatment for pin worms and fur mites. They
will also be assigned a dedicated sentinel animal that will be in direct contact with dirty bedding from
the animals being transferred. Sentinel animals will be euthanized and subjected to diagnostic testing
6-8 weeks after exposure. While in quarantine, the animals are unavailable for experimental
purposes. If the quarantined animals are an ongoing breeding colony and must be mated because of
aging or genetic issues, breeding maybe arranged while in quarantine. Upon receipt of the sentinel
diagnostic report, animals will be released for use and the appropriate animal holding room
assignment will be made.
Any shipment of City of Hope owned animals to another institution must be described and approved
in the City of Hope IACUC-approved protocol and approved by the receiving institution’s IACUC.
Receiving institutions must have a current Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) Letter of
Assurance on file and current accreditation by AAALAC International is strongly preferred.
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Animal shipping arrangements must be made through the DCM/ARC shipping coordinator. An
Animal Shipping Record form (available on the DCM secure Intranet site forms section) must be
completed and returned to the DCM/ARC shipping coordinator prior to shipping any animals. The
DCM/ARC shipping coordinator will provide any health history information required by the receiving
institution, coordinate shipping and arrange delivery by laboratory animal transport specialists.
Animals may be transported locally for procedures such as imaging in private vehicles if described in
an IACUC approved protocol. Animals must be transported in covered, secure transport containers,
provided with feed and hydration adequate for the duration of the trip and procedure, and maintained
in a climate controlled environment that meets the appropriate optimal temperature range described
in the National Research Council (NRC) Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
Transfer/Shipment of Equipment
Equipment to be transferred and shipped needs to be tagged for the City of Hope asset registry. The
investigator, Business Manager/Director and Research Finance will coordinate this transfer.
An infectious substance is regulated as a hazardous material under the United States Department of
Transportation’s (DOT’s) Hazardous Materials Regulations. The HMR apply to any material DOT
determines is capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety and property when transported
in commerce. An infectious substance must conform to all applicable HMR requirements when
offered for transportation or transported by air, highway, rail or water.
Anyone wishing to provide materials covered under this rule to investigators outside of City of Hope
must notify the Occupational Safety and Health Department (OSHD) for guidance and assistance in
shipping this material away from City of Hope. Shippers must be properly trained by OSHD before
shipping any hazardous material.
Research materials that are not available for purchase from suppliers are typically exchanged
between scientists using Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs). The Office of Technology Licensing
(OTL) has implemented procedural improvements to expedite MTAs.
Transfer of a Grant
The Office of Sponsored Research (OSR) will assist in the transfer of grants from the previous
institution.
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SETTING UP A LABORATORY
It is a strategic goal at City of Hope to build processes that are
safe, efficient and effective in bringing about cures for cancer and
other diseases. One such effort is assisting new investigators in
getting their laboratories up and running quickly so they may
begin their research with minimal delays. This section describes
the processes new investigators should follow as they setup their
laboratory at City of Hope.
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The Occupational Safety and Health Department is charged with developing and implementing
policies, procedures and specific programs to eliminate causative risk factors from the workplace.
This includes being a resource assisting directors, managers and supervisors to:
OSHD provides expertise in areas of biological safety, chemical safety, radiation safety, ergonomics,
hazardous waste disposal and emergency preparedness, as well as safety training.
What We Do
As stewards of City of Hope’s Safety Culture, the Occupational Safety and Health Department
ensures a safe and healthy environment for our staff, patients and visitors by providing excellent
programs and services, delivered with integrity and compassion. The Department’s vision is that all
staff at City of Hope be aware of the potential hazards they may encounter, possess the skills to
safely handle hazardous materials and equipment, respond promptly and properly in the event of an
accident or emergency and make safety part of their daily work. The Department’s goal is to ensure
all City of Hope safety programs are in the 90th percentile when compared to other medical centers.
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Laboratories present unique hazards and must be handled properly and carefully to prevent
catastrophic events that cause serious injury or property damage. The Occupational Safety and
Health Department offers numerous programs for staff performing basic laboratory research
including:
The Occupational Safety and Health Department supports research efforts through its involvement in
several research oversight and compliance committees such as:
OSHD staff serves on these committees and are directly responsible for the administration of the
Radiation Safety Committee. To speed up the review of research protocols OSHD staff pre-review
protocols to make sure the applications are complete before review by the committees. This reduces
the likelihood of delays in the approval process and allows the committees to focus on important
safety and regulatory concerns instead of administrative issues. This process has greatly sped up the
approval process and improved the quality of the research protocols. How each of these and other
research compliance committees operate is described in the Research Protections section.
Safety Training
The City of Hope and Beckman Research Institute’s (COH/BRI) commitment to safety is stated in the
Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP). Providing safety training and the responsibility of
supervisors are major components of this program. The Beckman Research Institute has a mandatory
training program, based on federal, state and local regulations, which requires training for all
laboratory personnel to ensure that they are qualified to work with and handle biological agents,
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hazardous chemicals, sharps, radioactive substances and other hazardous materials and equipment
found in the laboratory environment. Employees and Supervisors must maintain safety training
records. OSHD does not maintain individual employee safety training records, but they can be
accessed through the Human Resources PeopleSoft database.
Introduction to Laboratory Safety Class: Seven hours of training covering all aspects of laboratory
safety. The class is required for all new laboratory workers and is designed to educate them on how
to integrate safety awareness into all laboratory activities. Material will be taught with significant use
of case-studies, exercises, discussions and hands-on practice. Knowledge is demonstrated through a
final lab practicum. Training includes, but is not limited to, bloodborne pathogen training, hazardous
chemical training an introduction to radioactive materials as well as case studies in laboratory safety
Web-based training programs for areas not covered during new hire orientation (such as cart
safety, infectious agent transport) are available. Small vignettes may be produced and placed on the
OHSD website demonstrating the proper use of specific lab equipment and procedures. Additional
interactive, web-based training will be developed to address all aspects of laboratory safety.
Classroom Refresher Training - Review of Laboratory Safety: This is an abridged version of the
Introduction to Laboratory Safety Class. Annually, after receiving initial training, personnel must take:
Research Facilities and Emergency Planning provides support to investigators that includes space and
equipment, maintenance, repair, personnel moves, safety, and campus projects. In addition our office
supports the Beckman Research Institute in its emergency planning and disaster response
management.
Research Facilities and Emergency Planning is run by a manager in Basic Research Operations.
What We Do
As part of the support provided to investigators, Research Facilities and Emergency Planning has
established “ shared” equipment areas throughout the institution which house various pieces of
basic research laboratory equipment such as centrifuges, plate readers and other data gathering
instrumentation for all investigators to use. Posting in these areas identifies which equipment is
“shared” and provides contact information.
In addition, there are two facilities similar to the research cores, the PCR Facility and the Imaging
Facility, which are free of charge to the user. In the case of the PCR facility, required training sessions
are scheduled on a regular basis.
An investigator needing to use equipment that is department specific should seek the advice of a lab
member that has been properly trained in the use of the identified equipment. When this is not
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possible, the investigator should contact his or her supervisor in order to arrange for proper training.
If training cannot be arranged within the department, the user can place a request to Biomedical
Instrumentation Services (BIS).
Biomedical Instrumentation Services (BIS) provides equipment repair and maintenance support and
plays an important role in meeting regulatory and other organizational requirements. BIS also
arranges training on shared equipment.
What We Do
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
What Our Purpose Is
Information Technology Services (ITS) ensures that investigators and staff have the information
technology tools and infrastructure necessary to carry out City of Hope’s mission. ITS provides the
resources that enable leading-edge research and improved productivity.
Research Computer Services (RCS) is responsible for coordinating all aspects of IT services for the
research community at City of Hope. Other areas covered by ITS include information security,
wireless services, access to City of Hope computer systems, systems development, training,
equipment support and other technical services.
What We Do
Services provided by Research Computer Services (RCS) include requests for new research
computers, replacement of research computers, advice on computer-related purchases, and software
purchases, licensing and installation.
This software is provided on computers assigned to personnel for individual use. It is not provided
free on computers that are purchased for general lab or shared use. It is not provided free on
computers provided directly by vendors to run lab equipment.
ITS maintains a large system for file storage and special systems for very large data storage. A
request to access these systems is submitted through AccessNET.
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To gain access to Citrix an AccessNET request will need to be submitted and approved. The
following software is available on Citrix and is not installed on individual computers:
• Graphpad Prism
• Transfac
• Nexus
• CLCBio Workbench
• Genomics Workbench
• Ingenuity Pathways
• Matlab
• Partek
• NextGene
• Genome Studio
To purchase software not listed above, request a quote by completing a Request for Service (RFS)
online or by calling the ITS HelpDesk (extension 64357). In general, such requests should come from
individuals in supervisory positions. Once the software is received, request installation using the
same ITS Helpdesk system.
Additional Services
• Programming
• Training
• Troubleshooting
• Assistance in determining needs and required specifications for computer equipment
and/or software included in grant proposals; involving Research IT early in the process is
recommended
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ITS maintains a High Performance Computing (HPC) system and a General-Purpose Computing on
Graphics Processing Units (GPGPU) system for heavy analytical processing. For questions or access
to either system, contact Research IT.
All investigators need to have their e-mail listed in the #BRI user group in order to gain access to
secure SharePoint sites such as the Department of Comparative Medicine, the Institutional Animal
Care and Use Committee (IACUC), and Stem Cell Research Oversight (SCRO) Committee, as well
as, to receive announcements of lecture series, research equipment training sessions, new resources
and services available, changes in research-related procedures and policies and other information of
interest to investigators. In order to be added, call the ITS HelpDesk (extension 64357).
AccessNET
AccessNet is used to request and monitor personnel access to various City of Hope information
systems. To use the system, go to the AccessNet page.
The Virtual Private Network (VPN) Online allows City of Hope personnel to connect to City of Hope's
Intranet, File Servers, and E-mail using approved web browsers. VPN allows occasional and frequent
telecommuters to connect to the City of Hope network through the Internet using any internet
connection in a secure encrypted format. Access to VPN is requested through AccessNET.
Information Systems
• Access ECRT from the City of Hope home page or the OSR home page, which includes the
ECRT calendar, login, FAQ, policies and procedures, tutorials and reference materials.
• ECRT login: same Username and Password as the City of Hope login.
• For assistance, contact [email protected].
The Occupational Safety and Health Department has an information system called the EHS Assistant.
This system allows staff to perform many key tasks including managing Radiation Use Permits,
managing chemical inventories, requesting hazardous waste pickups, requesting ergonomic
assessments, accessing injury reports and reviewing and responding to facility inspection findings.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) integrates information across multiple functional areas, including
Finance, Grants, Human Capital Management (HCM) and Supply Chain Management (SCM). ERP
facilitates the flow of data between these functions and across the City of Hope organization,
providing a central repository for information shared by several ERP modules. Requisitions, expense
reimbursement requests, check requests and workflow approval are all done through ERP.
• Access ERP from ERP PeopleSoft NEW with the City of Hope username and password.
• The ERP Webpage provides instructional tools for completing tasks in PeopleSoft.
• For assistance, contact #[email protected].
iLAB is an online system designed to streamline the process of ordering and billing for core facility
service requests. iLab is intended to increase core facility utilization and awareness, improve core
financial management, and enhance core user experience. Specific features include:
• A search feature for all cores across the institution that ensures researchers can find all
institution-supported resources and services available to them in one central location.
• One consistent interface for searching resources, requesting services and updating project
progress.
• The ability to view core landing pages from outside the City of Hope Intranet, allowing
researchers external to the institution to view available services.
• The ability for core facilities to automatically generate recharges and invoices and post
charges directly to the general ledger, eliminating data re-entry and improving data accuracy.
The following core facilities are on iLab with more cores to be added in the future:
• Analytical Cytometry
• Animal Tumor Model Program
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Please note:
• Payment information must be supplied for all reservations and/or requests when working
with the core facilities. Contact the Business Manager/Director for appropriate information.
• iLab works best in Firefox or Chrome browser.
• For assistance, contact [email protected].
• For detailed information on standard cores, see basic manual.
• For detailed information on scheduling cores, see scheduling manual.
MediTract
City of Hope enters into many different kinds of transactions with outside parties that create
obligations either on the part of City of Hope or the outside party — whether to receive or spend
funds, provide or receive goods or services, or otherwise commit resources. City of Hope’s
standardized contract management system is called MediTract. MediTract is also the depository for
all electronic copies of all grants and progress reports. MediTract is housed in the legal department.
Use the Request for MediTract access to obtain a login for the MediTract website.
• Obtain proposed contract from vendor or use an approved City of Hope contract template
• Enter the contract into Workflow in MediTract to obtain the approval of the appropriate
personnel, including the Authorized Employee (AE) per the Signature Authority/Hierarchy
Policy and Legal, if Legal review is required (see Contracts Exempt From Legal Review).
• Print the Workflow Summary Page (“printer friendly”) to include in the Contract Package.
• Send the contract to the vendor for signature. If the vendor make changes to the City of
Hope approved template, the agreement information workflow will need to be submitted
and legal department’s approval will need to be obtained.
• Make sure contract is signed by an AE(s) for City of Hope.
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CORE FACILITIES
What Our Purpose Is
To facilitate scientific progress, City of Hope provides investigators and their laboratory teams access
to sophisticated support services and state-of-the-art equipment through many core facilities.
Core directors and lab personnel are highly trained experts in their field who provide technical
expertise, consultation, and training.
• Website: http://www.cityofhope.org/research/support/Pages/shared-resources.aspx:
What We Do
The following is a summary of the services provided by the scientific cores that pertain to basic
research:
• Analytical Cytometry Core (ACC) Facility provides investigators with high-quality flow
cytometry instrumentation, as well as expertise in analyzing and/or sorting sample
populations of interest via interpretation of their physical, fluorescent and/or light-scattering
properties. Request service using iLAB.
• Analytical Pharmacology Core
Facility (APCF) conducts
pharmacokinetic and
pharmacodynamic studies for
both chemotherapy clinical
trials and peer-reviewed
preclinical studies. Request
service using iLAB.
• Animal Resources Center
(ARC) Super Core is
responsible for the care and use
of animals in research and
teaching programs at the City
of Hope/Beckman Research
Institute and the facilities in
which the animals are housed.
Services provided include the procurement of animals and animal husbandry supplies,
provision of veterinary medical care, animal care and use, training, use of ARC surgical
facilities and surgical support program, polyclonal antibody production program, rodent
breeding colony core program, and technical support services.
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LIBRARY SERVICES
What Our Purpose Is
The Department of Library Services serves the information needs of the City of Hope community,
supporting the institution’s clinical, scientific and educational missions.
What We Do
Expert Help Finding and Managing Information and Complying with Funder Requirements
• 24/7/365 access to the Lee Graff Medical and Scientific Library, which offers quiet study
and relaxation space as well as print books and journals, computers, and two walking
stations to exercise while reading/working.
CREATIVE SERVICES
What Our Purpose Is
What We Do
The following tools are available on the Creative Services Intranet page:
GRANTS MANAGEMENT
As a first step, investigators should discuss their project with their
department chair and determine what resources are needed.
Investigators who are knowledgeable about what internal support may be
available are in a better position to seek external support.
This section describes the services and procedures of offices that help
investigators identify, apply for and manage grants as well as other types
of agreements related to basic research. The following chart identifies
the offices that help administer and provide support to investigators and
their research and administrative staff. These offices work closely
together to determine the appropriate City of Hope office to administer
the funding, contract and/or licensing aspects of a project and provide
assistance to investigators and department administrative staff.
The Office of Sponsored Research (OSR) provides the necessary support to improve the
effectiveness of sponsored programs and ensure that grants and contracts comply with City of
Hope’s standards for academic freedom, research ethics and fiscal responsibility.
OSR is the central administrative office responsible for submitting proposals and accepting awards
on behalf of City of Hope. Sponsored project proposals may only be submitted, and awards accepted,
by individuals authorized in OSR to sign the necessary documents. Investigators and administrative
staff are not authorized to submit proposals, accept grants or execute contracts on behalf of City of
Hope.
What We Do
OSR supports research faculty and staff by providing pre-award and post-award grant administration.
OSR liaises with grant sponsors on behalf of investigators and acts internally as the intermediary
between the Office of Foundation Relations, Office of Technology Licensing, Grant Accounting, Legal
Office, Corporate Compliance Office and auditors, both internal and external. OSR staff assist
investigators by reviewing grant proposals to ensure compliance with sponsors’ terms and
conditions, as well as, City of Hope policy and federal regulations and requirements.
• Reviews award terms and conditions and accepts on behalf of City of Hope and
investigator by approving budget and requesting the appropriate Project ID(s)
• Ensures compliance with relevant City of Hope policies and procedures governing the
conduct of research and other extramural activities, including:
− Protection of human and animal subjects (IRB and IACUC)
− Use of City of Hope facilities and appropriateness of the research activity
− Adherence to personnel policies and compensation plans
− Technology Transfer
− Conflicts of Interest
− Recovery of direct and indirect costs
− Liability insurance and indemnification/medical malpractice coverage
To transfer a grant from the previous institution, contact the assigned OSR Grants and Contracts
Administrator. The transfer requires these actions:
1. Relinquishment: Investigator will inform the funding agency of their desire to transfer the
agreement to City of Hope. The grants office of the previous institution will inform NIH that it has
agreed to relinquish responsibility.
2. Proposal and Award to City of Hope: The investigator will need to prepare a proposal for the
remaining funds, following City of Hope proposal procedures. Business Manager/Director will
prepare PDAF for assignment of a GEMS number via RDMA. The OSR Grants and Contracts
Administrator will assist the investigator in submitting this proposal, along with any other letters
of support and other documentation, to the sponsor.
3. Transfer of Equipment: Based on sponsor approval, an agreement from the previous institution
to release equipment purchased on the grant to be transferred to City of Hope will be completed.
This is coordinated through Research Finance.
Sponsored Projects are externally funded research, scholarly activities or projects that have a defined
scope of work, deliverables or a set of specific objectives which provide a basis for sponsor
expectations, including, but not limited to financial reporting, specific project outcomes or intellectual
property rights.
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Term Definition
Basic: Research directed toward increasing knowledge of the subject
being studied. Includes activities that seek to increase the
understanding of fundamental phenomena.
Translational: Facilitates the translation of findings from basic science
to practical applications that enhance human health and well-being.
Research Basic research (bench-side) that can be directly applied to or closely
related to the patient care (bedside).
Clinical: Research that determines the safety and effectiveness of
medications, devices, diagnostic products and treatment regimens
intended for human use. These may be used for prevention,
treatment, diagnosis or for relieving symptoms of a disease.
Funding received in order to train or provide subsistence during
Research Training/
training, to either graduate students or post doctoral candidates
Fellowships
training in research techniques.
An agreement typically with a for-profit drug company (but not
Clinical Trials always) in which, with FDA approval, investigators are testing drugs,
devices or therapies on human subjects.
Typically funded purely to purchase equipment to enhance the
Equipment Grant
research infrastructure.
Funding received for a conference/scientific meeting. For a gathering,
symposium, seminar, scientific meeting, workshop or any other
Conference Grant organized, formal meeting where persons assemble to coordinate,
exchange, and disseminate information or to explore or clarify a
defined subject, problem, or area of knowledge.
Funding to help full-time faculty to attend regional, national, or
Travel Grant international professional affairs in order to present or perform
scholarly activities.
Instruction Given to develop or enhance curriculum.
Term Definition
Refers to an application not previously proposed or one that has not
New Application
received prior funding.
A request for additional funding that is intended to extend, or results
Renewal (a.k.a. Competing
in the extension of, a project beyond the originally approved project
Continuation)
period.
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Term Definition
Continuation The sponsor requires submission of a continuation or progress report
(Non-competing) in order that the sponsor can monitor the progress of a project with a
funding commitment of the entire project period.
(Progress Report)
A request for additional funds to support an existing project during
Supplement
that same project period.
A proposal submitted to make a significant change to a previously
Revision /Resubmission
submitted proposal not yet funded by the sponsor.
Term Definition
Gifts are contributions made to City of Hope for which the donor
receives nothing in exchange. Gifts may be restricted to a specific
purpose, or they may be unrestricted and used by City of Hope for any
Gifts purpose consistent with City of Hope’s mission and not-for-profit
status. Other than restricting the purpose of the gift, the donor may
not impose terms and conditions on the use of the gift funds or
require deliverables from City of Hope.
Grants are usually made in support of basic research, training, or
workshop support, requiring technical and financial reports rather
than specifying definite services or product deliverables. Grants
require City of Hope and its investigators to abide by certain terms
Grants
and conditions. Federal, state and local government agencies, for-
profit entities, and private not-for-profit organizations distribute
funding through grants, contracts and cooperative agreements, each
associated with terms and conditions.
Government agencies and for-profit, commercial entities may use a
procurement mechanism, such as a contract or purchase order, to
fund research or other programs of importance to the sponsoring
organization. Basically, one party is buying a service or product from
Contracts
the other in exchange for payment. Contracts assume the production
and delivery of a specific product that can be an instrument, device or
technical report. Consequently, contract requirements are more
specific and less flexible than grants.
Cooperative Agreements are an arrangement where both parties are
Cooperative Agreements involved in carrying out a portion of the research. Cooperative
agreements generally stipulate the responsibilities of both parties.
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Term Definition
Subawards and Subcontracts are formal written agreements made
between a research institution that applies for the funding and City of
Hope that provides collaborators to perform a portion of the work.
Subawards and When funded by a grant or cooperative agreement, the applying
Subcontracts institution (Prime Recipient) will issue a Subaward to City of Hope
(Subawardee) providing funding from the prime award. If the prime
award is a contract, the award to City of Hope will be a Subcontract.
Applicable terms and conditions of the prime award will flow to City
of Hope.
Fellowships are awards of financial support to individually named
Fellowships students or postdoctoral scholars or to City of Hope on behalf of
individually named students or postdoctoral scholars. The funds are
treated as a research training grant, a type of sponsored research
project.
4. Identifying Funding Opportunities: The Office of Faculty and Institutional Support (OFIS) is
available to assist faculty and staff in locating potential external funding opportunities.
• Department of Defense
• National Cancer Institute – Extramural Funding Opportunities
• National Institutes of Health – Office of Extramural Research
• National Science Foundation
• U.S. Army Medical Research and Material Command
• Office of Foundation Relations – website posts grant opportunities from other groups
• Office of Faculty and Institutional Support – e-mails “Grant Bulletin” weekly
• City of Hope – Enhancement programs as announced via email
5. Obtaining A GEMS Number: A GEMS Number is required in order for OSR to maintain
organization of all proposals that enter the department. To obtain a GEMS Number, the following
steps should be followed at least 7 business days prior to the deadline:
Contact the OSR Grants and Contracts Administrator assigned to your department for assistance
with forms related to grants. Contact information can be found on the OSR website.
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1. The Proposal Data and Approval Form (PDAF): The PDAF is used to identify key elements of
the proposal and to secure required signatures and, as appropriate, department approvals for use
of City of Hope resources. The PDAF form and instructions can be found on the OSR website.
2. Request for Approval to Spend Funds (RAS): The Director of the Office of Sponsored Research
must approve any budgetary commitment for pre-award costs on a new or competing grant
award. To obtain approval, the following steps should be followed:
Step 1 The Business Manager/Director of the Department/Division shall prepare a “Request for
Approval to Spend Funds” (RAS) and provide a line-item budget (not to exceed 25% of
the yearly budget requested in the proposal). Information provided on the RAS includes:
A. The GEMS Number that was assigned when the proposal was submitted.
B. Award specific information.
C. Requested budgetary amount.
D. Justification of need to incur costs prior to receipt of official notice of award.
E. Identification of a non-sponsored cost center for cost recovery if (1) the award is
ultimately not made or (2) the award start date is later than anticipated resulting
in expenses being incurred beyond the 90-day approved pre-award window.
Step 2 The following signatures are required:
A. Signature of the Department Business Manager/Director to acknowledge request
being made.
B. Signature of the investigator accepting responsibility for any expenses as a result
of the sponsor’s (1) failure to make the award entirely or (2) make the award with
a delayed start date.
C. Signature of the Division/Department Chair in recognition of the requested action
and, as necessary, provision of a non-sponsored activity cost center to guarantee
the financial risk where the investigator does not have sufficient discretionary
funds to guarantee the 90-day pre-award project expenses.
D. If neither the investigator nor the Division/Department Chair can provide
guarantee funds, the signature of the Director of BRI is required.
Step 3 The completed RAS form and supporting documentation (clearly scanned signed
documents) shall be submitted to the OSR Grants and Contracts Administrator for final
review and approval. The OSR Grants and Contracts Administrator will verify the
following with the sponsor:
A. That the sponsor will fund the grant or award a subcontract to City of Hope.
B. That in the case of City of Hope as Sub-recipient, verify that (1) Prime Recipient
has confirmed that the award will be made from the sponsor, and (2) the Prime
Recipient intends to award a subcontract to City of Hope.
C. The expected start date of the project.
D. The expected award amount.
E. The pre-award period that the sponsor recognizes.
F. That the sponsor allows pre-award costs.
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Preparing Proposals
1. Once a faculty member has formulated an idea for a project and determined a potential sponsor,
the Department Business Manager/Director and OSR will assist the faculty member to ensure
that the proposal satisfies both the sponsor’s application guidelines and City of Hope’s
regulations.
2. A proposal requesting support from any sponsor will most often consist of the following
components:
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Title Page For those sponsors that do not provide application packages or
have other specific requirements, the investigator must construct
some form of title page.
Table of Contents List of proposal sections including page numbers.
Abstract A brief description covering the purpose, important features and
significance of the project.
Research Plan A detailed description of the project.
Budget and Justification A reasonable estimate of the resources necessary to conduct the
project. Most sponsors require a detailed breakdown of the budget
into certain defined budget categories and a detailed budget
justification. The budget justification should clearly explain what
costs will be paid for by the sponsor and how the expense was
calculated.
Biosketches (CV) Biographical sketches for all key project personnel.
References List of all references cited in proposal.
Facilities and Resources If applicable.
Current and Pending If applicable.
Support
Appendices If applicable.
Submitting Proposals
1. Reviewing and Submitting the Proposal: OSR is the central administrative office responsible for
submitting proposals and accepting awards on behalf of City of Hope. Investigators and
departments should
allow adequate time
for proposal review.
Important: PDAF
should be submitted to
OSR seven to ten days
prior to the sponsor
deadline.
2. Processing a Paper
Proposal: The
following steps should
be followed when
processing a paper
proposal.
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Step 1 The Departmental Administrator emails [email protected] to request an GEMS number and
includes the statement “This proposal will be a paper submission” along with the following:
1) Recipient
2) Address
3) Phone number
4) Date to be mailed
5) Dimensions and type of box
6) Estimated weight
7) Investigator
8) Department
9) Business Manager/Director
Step 2 When the department receives the assigned GEMS number, a copy will be sent to the OSR
Grants and Contracts Administrator.
Step 3 The day before the anticipated mailing date, the OSR Grants and Contracts Administrator
will prepare the FedEx mailing label and notify the department that it will be ready no later
than 9am the following day. The label will be saved as a PDF and emailed to the
department. The originating department is responsible for packing and mailing the grant.
Step 4 When preparing the shipping label, the OSR Grants and Contracts Administrator will
include the GEMS number, as well as, the department name and Business
Manager/Director in the reference field(s).
1. Negotiating the Award: OSR is the central administrative office responsible for negotiating and
accepting awards on behalf of City of Hope. As needed, OSR consults with the investigator,
Department/Laboratory/Center Administrators and other administrative offices, such as the
Legal Department and Office of Technology Licensing.
2. Accepting the Award: A Notice of Grant Award, also known as NOGA, NGA, Sponsor Notice or
Award Letter, is the official notification from the sponsor indicating that a proposal has been
funded. Notice of Grant Awards are usually received by OSR, although in some circumstances,
investigators may be notified directly.
3. Setting-Up the Award Account: Prior to award setup, IRB and IACUC protocol approvals and
grant concordance reviews need to be completed, as well as all COI for key personnel identified
on a project. Otherwise, account set-up may be delayed. Upon receipt of a sponsor award notice
or update to an award, the OSR Grants
and Contracts Administrator initiates
the account set-up/modification
process by completing the PCMF. OSR
Grants and Contracts Administrator
sends the PCMF to Grant Accounting
to request a new or extend an existing
cost center number. Grant Accounting
sends confirmation of the account set-
up via a Grant File Maintenance (GFM).
4. Entering Awarded Budgets and NOGA’s in GEMS and MediTract: The awarded budget is
entered into Grants Electronic Management System (GEMS) by the RDMA. This maintenance is
mandatory for all grants and contracts. Budgets will be entered according to their budget period
over the span of the awarded project period.
The budget entry, the notice of award, agreement, modifications to agreement and progress
report are entered into MediTract by the OSR staff.
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5. Spending (Pre-award) Sponsored Funds: Many federal sponsors allow grantee institutions to
incur pre-award costs up to 90 days prior to the start date of a grant award. Any pre-award costs
the City of Hope incurs may not be reimbursed by the sponsor if an official award is not granted.
Therefore, such costs incurred during the pre-award phase of a grant are the financial risk of the
investigator and the institution. However, there is also a risk in making cost transfers onto a
sponsored project, when the cost center for that sponsored project has not been set up due to a
delay in receiving the official notice of award.
Look on the OSR website for information regarding the procedures and guidelines for obtaining
Pre-Award Spending Authorization (RAS).
The Director of Sponsored Research must approve any budgetary commitment for pre-award
costs on a new or competing grant award.
City of Hope uses the following federal requirements in establishing procedures for administering all
awards for research and other sponsored agreements:
The Office of Foundation Relations manages relationships with private philanthropic foundations to
advance City of Hope’s mission to conquer cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening
diseases.
What We Do
The Office of Foundation Relations (OFR) works collaboratively with City of Hope investigators and
staff to ensure that communication with foundations is strategic and coordinated. Investigators need
to contact OFR before making any contact with private sources. Services include:
The following answers to some frequently asked questions provides an overview of the assistance
available through OFR.
What are some of the steps to finding the right foundation to fund a research project?
The Private Funding Opportunities webpage provide links to sites describing foundations that fund
the types of research conducted at City of Hope.
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• Foundations fund initiatives that align with their core mission and rarely make exceptions
to their pre-stated priorities. They typically have pre-determined programmatic and
geographic focus areas.
• Many foundations favor programs that are multi-institutional, interdisciplinary and/or
involve community partnerships.
• Many foundations provide funding opportunities to innovative or “risky” projects that are
ineligible for government funding.
• Foundations often prefer to support projects that will have an impact beyond the initiating
institution and/or projects that will develop new solutions to persistent problems.
• Many foundations provide support for a limited time (typically one to three
years). Therefore, foundations often want to see institutional support as well as plans to
secure additional funding after the foundation’s support is over.
Each foundation has its own procedures and most maintain websites providing guidance to
applicants. Study these carefully, but contact OFR to ask for additional information that may not be
available or may not be up-to-date on these websites. Foundations want to bestow their grants
where the funds will yield the greatest results. In writing a proposal, investigators should consider:
• What is the problem to be addressed? Can the project be framed in the context of a larger
issue? What data demonstrates how the project will address that issue?
• Why is City of Hope the ideal institution to address this issue?
• Why is the foundation a good fit for the project?
• What qualifies the investigator to accomplish the research objectives?
• What key activities of the project will accomplish these objectives?
• What measurable outcomes will be used to evaluate success?
• What resources are needed in regard to time, money, facilities, and personnel?
• How will the project be sustained once the foundation’s funds have been expended?
A Request for Proposals (RFP) is a foundation’s announcement inviting proposals for a specific
program or issue and providing a specific deadline. These RFPs may be released publicly or only sent
to pre-selected institutions identified by the foundation. OFR serves as a clearinghouse for many RFPs
and distributes them as appropriate within the institution. If an RFP limits the number of applicants
per institution, an internal scientific selection committee decides on the final candidate(s).
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The Office of Faculty and Institutional Support (OFIS) develops and supports an extramurally funded
research environment that assures integrity and compliance with appropriate regulations, and
facilitates communications among faculty and administrators.
What We Do
Grant Bulletin
• Reviewing grant proposals and manuscripts for grammar, consistency and the logical flow
of presented data
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• Ensuring proposals are responsive to the purpose of a Request for Application (RFA) or
Request for Proposal (RFP) or to reviewer's comments in cases of resubmissions
• Reviewing response letters to editors/reviewers, abstracts, etc.
Documents are edited using the tracking tool in Word so that authors can easily accept/reject the
changes made.
The Office of Technology Licensing (OTL) protects faculty interests while advancing discoveries
toward commercial development.
What We Do
Research at City of Hope often leads to important innovations or discoveries. Many times these
discoveries result in new inventions. These new inventions, while scientifically significant, may or
may not be considered “inventive.” Identifying which discovery or innovation is also an invention and
protecting them is the mission of the Office of Technology Licensing (OTL).
The following answers to some frequently asked questions provide an overview of the assistance
available through OTL.
What is intellectual property and who owns intellectual property developed at City of Hope?
“Intellectual property” includes inventions of new products, materials, designs, processes, methods,
techniques or algorithms, whether or not such inventions are actually patentable. Determination of
whether City of Hope will apply for a patent or protect the invention in another manner is performed
by OTL in consultation with the inventors. City of Hope owns intellectual property developed at City
of Hope. City of Hope intellectual property includes inventions conceived by those employed by, or
using resources owned by, City of Hope. This includes works that were developed under grants,
sponsored research or other agreements, or using City of Hope funds or facilities. Inventors must
formally give (“assign”) City of Hope the
rights and ownership (“title”) to all
inventions. Inventions made at any time
or place that are in anyway related to the
field of work for which you were
specifically hired for or is consistent with
the mission of City of Hope are
considered the property of City of Hope.
This includes inventions conceived or
developed at home or on weekends.
What is a patent?
A patent is a property right granted by the government to “exclude others from making, using, selling
or importing the invention” in the country where the patent is issued. Companies wishing to practice
a patented City of Hope invention should seek a license from City of Hope to obtain suitable rights.
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There are three types of patents: utility patents, design patents and plant patents. City of Hope
inventions are primarily protected as utility patents. Utility patents are granted for any new material,
method, machine, manufacturing process or improvements to any existing inventions of these types.
At City of Hope, examples of patentable inventions include new molecules, methods of synthesis,
methods of use, assays, gene associations, protein interactions, screening methods, computer
algorithms, medical devices and drug formulations.
1. Novel — The invention must be a novel or new idea. An invention cannot be patented in the
United States if it has been described in a printed publication, has been in public use or offered for
sale in the US for more than one year before a patent application is filed. An invention cannot be
patented in any foreign country if it was described in a printed publication or has been in public
use at any time prior to submitting a patent application.
2. Non-obvious — The invention should not be obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the area
of technology at the time the invention was made. For example, the substitution of one material
for another is not patentable unless there is an unexpected effect.
3. Useful — The invention must have some useful effect or purpose.
4. Enabled — The invention must be clearly described so that a person of ordinary skill in the art can
make and use the invention. Occasionally this means demonstration of activity in an animal
model or human clinical trial.
Not necessarily. Inventorship comes from having, or meaningfully contributing to, the “creative
spark.” However, inventions often arise from or through close mentoring and discussions with
investigators. So, provided they meet all the requirements of inventorship, investigators can be co-
inventors.
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1. Try to preserve the "first samples" of new products or of products produced by a new method. To
each sample, attach a permanent label dated and signed and witnessed.
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2. Whenever an experiment or apparatus is new, it would be very helpful to photograph the project.
All such photographs should be signed and dated and attached firmly to the relevant page of the
notebook.
Contact OTL with any questions regarding notebooks and other documentation of research.
Ideally, OTL should be contacted to discuss an invention after there is some evidence that it works
but prior to any public disclosure. Following discussion with OTL, may request submission of an
invention disclosure form. An invention disclosure should fully describe the invention and its
relevance so that OTL can properly assess its patentability and commercial potential and pursue
patent protection if applicable.
Allow at least 30 days prior to any public disclosure to ensure adequate time to review and prepare a
meaningful patent application.
No. The substantial expense of obtaining patent rights — roughly up to $25,000 for a US patent and
possibly over $100,000 for worldwide coverage — warrants critical examination of the commercial
potential of each invention disclosure.
If OTL determines the invention has potential commercial value and is adequately supported by
documentation from the inventors(s), City of Hope will initially file a provisional patent application in
the United States. Within eight to nine months after filing the provisional application, OTL will ask
the investigator for additional data that may have been generated since filing the provisional
application and review any commercial interest in the invention. Commercial value will be reassessed
as well as the likelihood the United States Patent and Trademark Office will allow a patent before a
decision is made whether to file a regular(non-provisional) US patent application. At that time, OTL
will also assess whether to file patent application(s) in foreign countries. Filing in foreign countries is
very expensive and is reserved only for intellectual property that is expected to result in significant
income for City of Hope or which is about to enter testing in clinical trials or is licensed to third
parties willing to bear the financial expense.
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As soon as possible with the inventor’s help. The inventor’s professional contacts can be very useful
in bringing the technology to the attention of a commercial enterprise’s decision makers. The
inventor’s active involvement can dramatically improve the chances of success.
The inventor can help OTL staff identify candidate companies that have the expertise and resources
to bring the technology to the market. The inventor is asked not to approach companies without the
participation of OTL. If companies approach the
inventor, contact information should be obtained and
brought to the attention of OTL immediately. OTL will
coordinate the relationship and put in place a
confidentially agreement to ensure that any
confidential information is preserved. The inventor
may be asked to participate in telephone calls or
meetings with companies to help explain the invention
and its potential merits. OTL staff will help prepare the
inventor for these discussions.
What is a license?
A license is a contract between a company and City of Hope to grant rights in the intellectual
property to the company (licensee) in exchange for income for City of Hope. That income can include
cash license fees and a percentage royalty on any future sales of products. A license agreement can
be entered into with an established company or, under certain circumstances, with a new business
venture (a “start-up” company). City of Hope seeks licensees that can demonstrate a clear and
reasonable plan to make the technology broadly available in the marketplace. In every license
agreement, City of Hope always retains the right to continue using the licensed intellectual property
for internal research.
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Under City of Hope’s Intellectual Property policy, City of Hope shares income from license
agreements with the relevant inventors. Inventors get a share of all licensing fees and royalties
received by City of Hope. Please review the City of Hope Intellectual Property Policy and contact
OTL for additional details.
Points to Remember
• If in any doubt, ask OTL about any request to enter into an agreement or provide a
signature
• If contacted by a commercial entity about your research, obtain contact information for
OTL to follow up
• Maintain good documentation of all research
• Talk to OTL in advance of any public disclosure (e.g., talk, poster, paper submission) if the
presentation includes important new scientific findings or ideas
RESEARCH FINANCE
What Our Purpose Is
The Research Finance Department is responsible for oversight and management of expenditures of
the research institutional budgets and discretionary cost centers (80/90/92/98).
What We Do
The department collaborates with department administrators on annual budgets, identifies and
resolves budget variances and processes and tracks all research capital expenditures and investigator
recruitment packages. Additionally, the department manages the financial activities of the cancer
center support grant and the shared resource facilities.
The department reviews business expense reports, check requests, purchase requisitions, Human
Resources requisitions and hierarchy change requests for adherence to established City of Hope
policies and procedures.
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The Research Finance Department provides training for new business managers/directors on the
policies and procedures, processes and systems available to assist with the management and
oversight of department financial activities. The business manager/director in the investigator’s
department is a good resource for navigating the requirements and processes under the purview of
the Research Finance Department.
The following forms, policies and procedures available via the City of Hope Intranet and are directly
related to the business performed within the Research Finance Department.
Research Finance
Signature Requirements
Expense transactions against research institutional budget accounts or discretionary accounts (cost
centers beginning in 80/90/92/98) require additional approval by Research Finance. This
requirement is in addition to the hierarchy. Check Requests and Online Purchase Requisitions less
than $500 do not require additional approval from Research Finance. All expense reimbursements,
regardless of dollar amount, need Research Finance Approval.
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COMPLIANCE
The Corporate Compliance Office coordinates City of Hope’s efforts to comply with the complex laws
and regulations governing health care and research activities.
The Compliance Program is directed by City of Hope’s Chief Compliance Officer, who is assisted by
Compliance Officers and a staff of associate or assistant compliance officers, managers and
assistants.
What We Do
In September 1999, City of Hope’s Board of Directors adopted City of Hope’s Corporate Compliance
Plan. This Plan is modeled after the US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of
Inspector General’s Compliance Program Guidance for Hospitals, which was initially issued in
February 1998 and updated with Supplemental Guidance in January 2005. The Corporate
Compliance Office is responsible for the implementation of the Plan and does so through City of
Hope’s Corporate Compliance Program entitled "A Matter of Integrity."
Key elements of “A Matter of Integrity” are found in the Code of Conduct, which is a summary of City
of Hope’s policies regarding ethical conduct and workplace behavior. It provides general guidance on
subjects of wide interest within City of Hope and is required to be reviewed upon hire and annually
thereafter as part of the performance evaluation process.
"A Matter of Integrity" includes an "open communication policy" which encourages personnel to
come forward with compliance questions and concerns. A variety of avenues are available for this
purpose, including an anonymous toll free compliance hotline. The Program also includes regular,
mandatory compliance training for all City of Hope Board members, personnel, investigators,
physicians and on-campus volunteers. The Program’s monitoring and auditing policy provides for
regular reviews of operations to assure regulatory compliance and to address any errors or the
possibility of any unethical or illegal conduct.
The Corporate Compliance Department is also assisted by the Corporate Compliance Committee
and its sub-committees, standing committees that meet regularly to assist in assuring the
effectiveness of the Compliance Program by ensuring that the objectives of the Program are reflected
in City of Hope governance, risk management, information management and financial and
operational activities.
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Institutional Official
The Institutional Official (IO) is designated by City of Hope to ensure that research at City of Hope
has the resources and support necessary to comply with all federal and state laws and regulations
that govern research.
The IO is legally authorized to represent City of Hope in signing Assurances and assuming the
obligations of City of Hope under those assurances. IO is responsible for:
• Assuring that the research review board and committee members have the appropriate
knowledge to review research in accordance with ethical standards and applicable
regulations
• Assuring that all investigators have the appropriate knowledge to conduct research in
accordance with ethical standards and applicable regulations
• Facilitating investigator relationships with research components
• Overseeing the conduct of research performed by City of Hope’s investigators
• Overseeing the development and implementation of an educational plan for research
members, staff and investigators
Conflict Of Interest
As part of City of Hope's continuing efforts to identify and manage Conflicts of Commitment and
Conflicts of Interest, the Board of Directors has established the Conflict of Interest and Commitment
Committee (COICC). The COICC is an independent committee charged with serving as the
representative of the Board in preserving the independent decision-making of the governance,
operations and research mission of City of Hope pursuant to City of Hope COICC Policies.
RESEARCH PROTECTIONS
What Our Purpose is
Research Protections provides institutional oversight to ensure that all research at City of Hope is
ethical, scientifically justified, performed with appropriate safeguards for safety and privacy, and
conforms to Federal and State laws and guidelines.
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Research Protections also oversees three committees not covered in this handbook: the Cancer
Protocol and Review Monitoring Committee (CPRMC), the Protocol Review and Monitoring
Committee (PRMC), and the Data and Safety Monitoring Committee (DMSC).
What We Do
Depending on the proposed research activities, submission to and review and approval from more
than one committee may be required before work may commence.
Submission deadlines and meeting dates are listed on the Research Committees Calendar. Calendar
features include adding meetings to the investigator’s calendar and requesting e-mail reminders.
The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is responsible for assuring that animal
research, testing, and/or training protocols conducted at City of Hope involving live, vertebrate
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animals are ethical, humane, scientifically justified and have the potential for advancement of science,
medical knowledge and/or animal health.
The IACUC is also responsible for assuring that the City of Hope Institutional Animal Care and Use
Program for the procurement, housing, and care and use of animals maintains full accreditation with
the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International
(AAALAC) and conforms to the Institute for Laboratory Animal Research (ILAR) Guide for the Care
and Use of Laboratory Animals; all regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) which implement the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) of 1966 and its amendments (9 CFR,
Chapters 1, 2, 3); and the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory
Animals.
Investigators are required to secure IACUC approval prior to initiating research involving live animals.
IACUC Training Required: Regardless of previous training/work experience, all personnel listed on
an IACUC protocol must complete the mandatory IACUC Animal User Training Program:
2. Introduction to City of Hope and Beckman Research Institute Animal Care and Use Program (if
listed on an IACUC protocol)
• Rodent Handling Restraint and Biomethodology (if working with rats or mice)
• Rodent Aseptic Surgical Technique and Anesthesia (if working with rats or mice)
• Rodent Survival Surgery Training (if conducting survival surgery)
IACUC Submission Process: All projects that include research activities under IACUC purview
must be submitted through the Integrated Research Information Systems (iRIS). iRIS is the electronic
system utilized by the IACUC to assist in the review and management of research projects.
• New Protocols
• Amendments to Ongoing Protocols, including changes in personnel
• Annual Continuing Review
• 3rd year Renewals (every 3rd year, the entire protocol is reviewed as if it were new)
• Unanticipated Problems
• Closures
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IACUC Review Process: Once received, an IACUC protocol submission may require multiple review
steps, including administrative review, attending veterinarian pre-review, assigned primary reviewer’s
review and full committee review. Therefore, requests for submission of annual continuing reviews
and 3rd year renewals should be addressed promptly to allow sufficient time for the submission
process from review to approval.
At a convened meeting of a quorum of the members, the IACUC will review the submission and take
one of four possible actions: (1) Approved/
Approved with Comments; (2) Approval
pending the conditions are met; (3) Deferred;
(4) Disapproved. All IACUC review outcomes
will be sent in writing to the investigator.
The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is responsible for review of all research involving the use
of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules (i.e., DNA, RNA) , including the use of transgenic
animals and plants. The IBC ensures all such research conducted at or sponsored by City of Hope is
conducted in accordance with NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic
Nucleic Acid Molecules regardless of funding source.
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General responsibilities include review of research projects for compliance with NIH Guidelines in
areas such as physical and/or biological containment levels, facilities, procedures, practices, training
and expertise of personnel, as well as, institutional procedures and practices.
IBC Training Required: City of Hope does not offer any specific courses regarding use of recombinant
or synthetic nucleic acid molecules. Investigators completing IBC Protocol Review Forms will be asked
to provide a summary of experience and
training of all personnel to demonstrate that
the research team includes personnel with
competency to safely perform the work
described in the protocol.
• New Protocols
• Amendments to Ongoing Protocols, including changes in personnel
• Annual Continuing Review
• 3rd year Renewals (every third year the IACUC reviews the entire protocol as if it were a
new project)
• Unanticipated Problems
• Closures
IBC Review Process: Investigators are required to secure IBC approval prior to experimentation
using recombinant DNA materials and ordering or transport of genetically altered cells or materials
that fall in the category of requiring IBC approval (review categories III-A, III-B, III-C and III-D). The
IBC Protocol Review Form must be completed and submitted for research falling into categories III-E
and III-F, but experiments may be initiated after the form has been submitted prior to receiving an
acknowledgement from the IBC.
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III-E Experiments that Require IBC Notice Simultaneous with Initiation. Example of experiments
are (1) Experiments involving the formation of rDNA molecules containing less than 2/3 of
the genome of any eukaryotic virus.
Exempt Experiments. Example of experiments are (1) Experiments that use rDNA molecules
which are not conducted in organisms or viruses. (2) use of rDNA molecules that consist
entirely of DNA segments from a single nonchromosomal or viral source, one or more
III-F segments may be synthetic. (3) rDNA derived entirely from a prokaryotic host including
indigenous plasmids when propagated only in that host or closely related strain. (4) rDNA
that derives entirely from a eukaryotic host including indigenous chloroplasts, mitochondria,
plasmids but not viruses when propagated only in that host or closely related strain. (5)
Experiments using only synthesized small interfering RNA’s (siRNA) to study gene
expression.
At a convened meeting of a quorum of the members, the IBC will review the submission. The review
outcome may include conditions that the investigator will be required to address to secure approval.
For research in categories III-A through III-D, the IBC will take one of four possible actions: (1)
Approved/Approved with Comments; (2) Approved with Conditions; (3) Deferred; (4) Disapproved.
For research in categories III-E and III-F, the review outcome may be acknowledged or may include
conditions that the investigator will be required to address first. All IBC review outcomes will be sent
in writing to the investigator.
Lack of a prompt response to IBC conditions will delay approval of new protocols or amendments.
Lack of a prompt response to conditions regarding annual continuing reviews or 3rd year renewals
that delay re-approval past the expiration of the previous approval will result in closure of the
protocol. If the protocol is closed, no work involving recombinant DNA molecules described in the
protocol will be permitted.
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Investigators with approved IBC protocols are responsible for informing the committee of any
unexpected problems related to recombinant DNA research as soon as they are aware of them and
not making any changes in review categories III-A through III-D until an amendment has been
submitted, reviewed and approved by the IBC.
The Occupational Safety and Biohazards Committee (OSBC) is responsible for review of all research
involving the use of biohazardous materials (other than recombinant DNA under the purview of the
IBC and radioisotopes under the purview of the RSC), chemicals, carcinogens, infectious agents and
other safety hazards not covered by other institutional committees. The OSBC ensures that
appropriate safety precautions for the conduct of research using such materials are in place and
conform to regulatory and accrediting agency standards and guidelines.
Investigators are required to secure OSBC approval prior to conducting research activities under the
committee’s purview.
The research team must include personnel with the competency to safely perform the work described
in the protocol.
OSBC Submission Process: All research projects that include research activities under the purview
of the OSBC must be submitted to the OSBC according to the submission requirements and using the
Word protocol review forms posted on the IntraNet.
Prior to completing the OSBC Protocol Review Form, send an email to [email protected] to
obtain an OSBC protocol number. Include the assigned protocol number where indicated in the
OSBC Protocol Review Form.
• New Protocols
• Amendments to Ongoing Protocols, including changes in personnel
• Annual Continuing Review
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• 3rd year Renewals (every third year the IACUC reviews the entire protocol as if it were a
new project)
• Unanticipated Problems
• Closures
OSBC Review Process: At a convened meeting of a quorum of the members, the OSBC will review
the submission. The review outcome may include conditions that the investigator will be required to
address to secure approval. The OSBC will take one of four possible actions: (1) Approved/Approved
with Comments; (2) Approved with Conditions; (3) Deferred; (4) Disapproved. All OSBC review
outcomes will be sent in writing to the investigator.
Lack of a prompt response to OSBC conditions will delay approval of new protocols or amendments.
Lack of a prompt response to conditions regarding annual continuing reviews or 3rd year renewals
that delay re-approval past the expiration of the previous approval will result in closure of the
protocol. If the protocol is closed, no work described in the protocol involving biohazardous materials
and other physical hazards can be performed.
Investigators with approved protocols are responsible for informing the OSBC of any unexpected
problems related to work described in the protocol as soon as they are aware of them and not making
any changes until an amendment has been submitted, reviewed and approved by the OSBC.
The Stem Cell Research Oversight (SCRO) committee is responsible for providing oversight of human
pluripotent stem cells and certain neuronal stem cell research activities. SCRO ensures that research
proposals involving human stem cells are ethical and scientifically justified, and that they conform to
California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) Regulations regardless of funding source.
Investigators are required to secure SCRO approval prior to conducting research activities under the
committee’s purview.
SCRO Training Required: City of Hope does not offer any specific courses regarding use of stem cells.
Investigators completing SCRO Protocol Review Forms will be asked to provide a summary of
experience, training and qualifications of all personnel to demonstrate that the research team includes
personnel with competency to safely perform the work described in the protocol.
SCRO Submission Process: All research projects that include research activities under the purview
of the SCRO must be submitted to the SCRO through the Integrated Research Information Systems
(iRIS). iRIS is the electronic system utilized by the SCRO to assist in the review and management of
research projects.
• New Protocols
• Amendments to Ongoing Protocols, including changes in personnel
• Annual Continuing Review
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• Unanticipated Problems
• Closures
SCRO Review Process: At a convened meeting of a quorum of the members, the SCRO will review
the submission. The review outcome may include conditions that the investigator will be required to
address to secure approval. The SCRO will take one of four possible actions: (1) Approved/Approved
with Comments; (2) Approved with Conditions; (3) Deferred; (4) Disapproved. All SCRO review
outcomes will be sent in writing to the investigator.
Lack of a prompt response to SCRO conditions will delay approval of new protocols or amendments.
Lack of a prompt response to conditions regarding Annual Continuing Review that delays re-approval
past the expiration of the previous approval will result in closure of the protocol. If the protocol is
closed, no work described in the protocol involving stem cells will be permitted.
Investigators with approved SCRO protocols are responsible for not making any changes until an
amendment has been submitted, reviewed and approved by the SCRO.
The City of Hope Institutional Review Board (IRB) is required to review and approve all research
projects involving human subjects prior to the initiation of research activity. The IRB ensures that
research proposals involving human subjects conform to federal Office of Human Research
Protections (OHRP) Title 45 Code of Federal Regulations Part 46, Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) Title 50 Code of Federal Regulations Part 21, and Health Information Portability and
Accountability Act (HIPAA) as applicable to research, regardless of funding source.
Investigators conducting projects involving human subjects are responsible for ensuring that
appropriate IRB approval is obtained and for complying with the requirements of City of Hope
policies and procedures governing human subjects research.
Human Subjects Research Training Required: Prior to participating in any research project
involving human subjects, all key personnel are required to complete the training courses listed
below. Failure to complete any of the training courses will result in the inability to participate in
research studies involving human subjects and/or a possible delay in the approval of a submission.
Please note that courses can be completed in parallel with completing the IRB application.
The CRC gives an overview of basic human subject principles and must be completed and
renewed every 3 years to continue conducting research involving human subjects. For
instructions on completing this training, visit the Clinical Research Training Office Intranet site.
This course provides an overview of City of Hope’s policy regarding reporting of adverse events
and unanticipated problems. This training is completed once and does not require renewal.
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IRB Submission Process: All research projects that include research activities under the purview of
the IRB must be submitted to the IRB through the Integrated Research Information Systems (iRIS).
iRIS is the electronic system utilized by the IRB to assist in the review and management of research
projects.
• New Protocols
• Amendments to Ongoing Protocols, including changes in personnel
• Annual Continuing Review
• 5th Year Renewals (every third year the IRB reviews the entire protocol as if it were a new
project)
• Unanticipated Problems
• Closures
IRB Review Process: The IRB review process is generally separated into four processes. For basic
science investigators, the most common review processes used will generally be non-human
subjects, exempt and expedited.
The diagrams below illustrates the IRB workflow of a submission through final approval:
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Non Human Subjects Determination: In order for a project to require review by the IRB, it must meet
the definition of research and involve human subjects as defined by the Common Rule (45 CFR 46):
To fall under Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, projects must involve a regulated
FDA article, meet the definition of a clinical investigation and involve human subjects.
To determine if your project needs requires IRB review, use the decision tree below:
Exempt Review: Submissions meeting the exempt criteria do not need to be reviewed at a fully
convened IRB meeting. OHRSP is responsible for determining whether a submission qualifies for
exempt review. Common examples of research activities which may qualify for exempt review are:
Expedited Review: Submissions meeting the expedited process criteria do not need to be reviewed at
a fully convened IRB meeting. OHRP is responsible for determining whether a submission qualifies for
expedited review. Common examples of research activities which may qualify for expedited are:
• Collection of blood samples by finger stick, heel stick, ear stick, or venipuncture as follows:
- from healthy, non-pregnant adults who weigh at least 110 pounds. For these subjects,
the amounts drawn may not exceed 550 ml in an 8 week period and collection may not
occur more frequently than 2 times per week; or
- from other adults and children, considering the age, weight, and health of the subjects,
the collection procedure, the amount of blood to be collected, and the frequency with
which it will be collected. For these subjects, the amount drawn may not exceed the
lesser of 50 ml or 3 ml per kg in an 8 week period and collection may not occur more
frequently than 2 times per week.
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mucosal and skin cells collected by buccal scraping or swab, skin swab, or mouth
washings.
sputum collected after saline mist nebulization.
• Research involving materials (data, documents, records, or specimens) that have been
collected, or will be collected solely for nonresearch purposes (such as medical treatment
or diagnosis).
Waiver of Informed Consent and HIPAA Authorization: Examples of research studies that may qualify
for a waiver of informed consent and HIPAA authorization include retrospective chart reviews and
retrospective specimen collections. Any project requesting a waiver must meet these requirements:
• Waiver of Informed Consent: Federal regulations permit a waiver of informed consent when the
investigator can justify the waiver as meeting the following criteria outlined at 45 CFR
46.116(d) and 45 CFR 164.514(e):
- The research involves no more than minimal risk to the subjects.
- The waiver or alteration will not adversely affect the rights and welfare of the subjects.
- The research could not practicably be carried out without the waiver or alteration.
- Whenever appropriate, the subjects will be provided with additional information after
participation.
Review of Use of Specimens from the City of Hope Biorepository: One of the main objectives of the
Pathology Core is to provide investigators access to optimally preserved tumors and normal tissues.
For information about how to use and draw down specimens from City of Hope’s Biorepository, see
the workflow on the following page. This workflow demonstrates how to navigate through the
regulatory systems at City of Hope and obtain specimens.
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The Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) is administrated by the Occupational Safety and Health
Department (OSHD). The RSC is responsible for review of all uses of radioactive materials at City of
Hope. This includes all radioactive material and radiation emitting machines and devices. The RSC
ensures that guidelines and practices are established for the protection of the health care and
research staff from radiation exposure that is consistent with keeping radiation exposure “as low as
reasonably achievable” (ALARA). The RSC also ensures the safety and comparable care for patients
receiving diagnostic and therapeutic doses of radioactive materials; and ensures the safety of visitors
and families of patients receiving therapeutic and diagnostic doses of sealed and unsealed radioactive
materials. These activities are conducted in accordance with Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Regulations at Title 10 Code of Federal Regulations Part 20, Title 17 of the California Code of
Regulations (CCR), the City of Hope Radioactive Materials License and the City of Hope Radiation
Safety Manual.
RSC Training Required: The State of California, in agreement with the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC), requires that every individual that works with radioactive materials receive initial
training on the protection and proper handling of isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals in their work
place, as well as annual refresher training.
The Radiation Safety Committee will suspend the Radioactive Material Use Permit where Authorized
Users or their Technical Staff are found to be delinquent in completing the annual refresher training
requirements following a 30 day grace period from the assigned date. The permit will be reinstated
once the Radiation Safety Committee has been provided with
appropriate documentation of training.
RSC Review Process: At a convened meeting of a quorum of the members, the RSC will review the
proposals and take one of four possible actions: (1) Approved/Approved with Comments; (2)
Approved with Restrictions or Recommendations; (3) Deferred; (4) Disapproved. All RSC actions
and reasons for their decisions will be sent in writing to the investigator.
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ONGOING
City of Hope is committed to creating a great work environment. This
section covers additional resources for investigators to manage and enhance
their career at City of Hope.
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The Office of Academic Affairs (OFA) is responsible for the management of academic activities in
the Beckman Research Institute and City of Hope Medical Center. This includes oversight of faculty
appointments, promotions, evaluation, recruitment and grievances. Policies and Procedures for
Academic Appointments and Promotions defines the policies and procedures for faculty, in terms of
appointments and promotions.
The Office of Academic Affairs (OFA) is an independent office under the direction of the Dean for
Faculty Affairs. The staff consists of the Program Manager assisted by an Academic Personnel
Coordinator and a Project Specialist.
What We Do
The OFA oversees the academic activities of the following appointment titles in one of three series
Assistant, Associate and Full:
• Professor
• Research Professor
• Clinical Professor
• Adjunct Faculty
• Visiting Faculty
The Faculty Senate consists of all members in the Professor, Research Professor and Clinical
Professor series. Senate members have voting rights and participate in the quarterly meetings and
functions as described in the Bylaws of the Faculty Senate of City of Hope.
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Each first year student at the Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences is required to
have a minimum of three lab rotations. The purposes of the rotations are (1) to help students find the
research area and lab in which they want to conduct their thesis research, (2) to learn experimental
techniques, and (3) to expose students to a broad
range of intellectual and technical approaches to
address current research challenges. Each lab
rotation is carried out in a different lab and lasts
from ten to twelve weeks. The student is expected
to spend a minimum of 20 to 25 hours per week in
the lab during a rotation. It is also expected that the
student perform at an exceptional level in advanced
coursework during this time and thus should be
allowed some leeway to study during weeks when
they have examinations.
Summer Students
City of Hope's
Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy
gives curious and hardworking students the
opportunity to learn about science by actually doing
it. Selected participants then spend 10 weeks
working full-time as a member of a biomedical
research team. Investigators serve as mentors who
guide students in their research, while helping them
develop their critical thinking skills.
A staffing need might come about as the result of personnel turnover, the creation of a new position,
or increased workload. Contact the Business Manager/Director prior to posting or hiring for a
position. The chart below provides an overview of the significant hiring process activities.
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COMMUNICATIONS
What Our Purpose Is
City of Hope’s media relations team works with national, regional and local news media to inform the
public about the institution’s medical/scientific advances, events and other notable news.
City of Hope’s Communication Department falls under the Philanthropy and External Relations
Group. Investigators who have a newsworthy idea or who have been approached by the media are
asked to contact the media relations office.
What We Do
Funding for research is getting more difficult to obtain, so communicating the research done at City
of Hope is important. Investigators who have news to share are asked to pass it on to the
communications team. They are interested in positive stories for City of Hope internal and external
publications, media outreach and social media channels.
For example, if an investigator is the first or senior author of a project that will be published, will be
speaking at a conference, has won an award or has an interesting personal story or intriguing
research story, the communications team would like to know about it.
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Employee Health Services (EHS) focuses on the health and safety of personnel related to the work
environment.
• Location: Modular 90
• Hours: Monday – Friday 6:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Walk-In TB Clinic
• Location: Modular 90
• Hours: Mon, Tue, Wed, and Fri 6:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
• Location: The Evaluation Treatment Center located in Brawerman 1A provides first aid for
injured personnel.
Website: http://www.coh.org/hr/ehs/Pages/default.aspx
What We Do
A brief physical examination, evaluation of immunization status and tuberculosis (TB) screening is
required before beginning work. An annual update consisting of a health questionnaire is required for
all personnel.
All personnel whose workspace is located in a building that renders clinical services or who work in
the Animal Resource Center facility are required to maintain compliance with the City of Hope
Immunization Policy:
Personnel are referred to EHS for evaluation, treatment and possible referral when they:
If EHS is closed, staff is seen at the Evaluation and Treatment Center (ETC), a 24-hour, 7-day per
week urgent care clinic on the campus grounds. For more serious injuries beyond the scope of care
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provided at EHS or ETC, an industrial clinic is available for staff to receive complete care. In emergent
situations 911 is called.
City of Hope provides the physician doing the medical evaluation or consultation with the following
required information:
This is accomplished through information provided in the Supervisor’s Report of Injury and additional
correspondence provided by the Occupational Safety and Health Department (OSHD).
City of Hope obtains the following required information from the physician after medical evaluation
or consultation:
• Any written opinion for a recommended follow-up examination, medical exam and the
attendant test results
• Any detected medical conditions of the personnel that might pose increased risk
• A statement that the personnel was informed of the medical examination/consultation results
City of Hope maintains for each personnel an accurate record of exposure monitoring results and any
medical consultation and examinations, including tests or physician medical opinions. Such records
must be kept, transferred and made available in accordance with OSHA’s rule governing access to
personnel exposure and medical records (29 CFR 1910.1020).
TRAVEL
Egencia Corporate Travel (through Expedia) is City of Hope’s exclusive travel management provider
for all business related travel including air, hotel, and rental car services for corporate travel. Travel
must be in the most economical and appropriate manner to meet the business objectives of City of
Hope. This includes the selection and use of City of Hope-preferred vendors. Air travel arrangements,
hotels and car rentals are to be made through the City of Hope Authorized Travel Agency. Any
exception to the following criteria will be identified for management’s consideration during the on-
line pre-trip approval process. All travel requests made through Egencia Corporate Travel will be sent
to the individual at City of Hope authorized to approve the individual’s travel.
City of Hope personnel and their eligible dependents may utilize the corporate travel program and
negotiated rates for personal travel. Personal travel requires a personal credit card payment at the
time of booking travel arrangement.
See the Intranet Travel site for current Travel Policies and Procedures, User Access Manuals and
Expedia Online User Manual.
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CLOSING A LABORATORY
There are several steps and activities that are required when a person’s
employment with City of Hope/Beckman Research Institute ends. Some of
the items described are done by the departing personnel and other tasks are
accomplished for his/her administrator. All the applicable items must be
properly completed prior to withdrawal from active employment status. A
checklist is provided to use as a reference when departing from the City of
Hope/Beckman Research Institute.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Basic Research Handbook is the collective work of a diverse team of colleagues committed
to making the handbook user-friendly and responsive to the needs of investigators and their staff.
The BRH Working Group developed the format and provided most of the sections. The members
are Jocelyn Cumming, Business Director for Virology and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Nancy
Debretsion, Manager in the Office of Laboratory Research Subjects Protection, Rick Gulizia,
Director of the Office of Laboratory Research Subjects Protection, Janet Mendoza, Time and
Effort Administrator in the Office of Sponsored Research, Chuck Pickering, Director of Safety and
Occupational Health and Chief Safety Officer for the City of Hope, Frances Solano, Director of the
Office of Sponsored Research, and Noe Gonzales, Manager of Research Facilities and Emergency
Planning. Nancy Jenkins and Amy Stillings, who are no longer at City of Hope, contributed to
early drafts of the handbook.
Creative Services and the Office of Technology Licensing provided photos and other images.
Kristen Santoni of Creative Services and Samuel Debretsion, as a volunteer, consulted on the
layout.
The following individuals reviewed the completed draft and recommended changes to the current
version: Ileana Abich, Jonathan Espenschied, Director of Graduate Medical Education and Clinical
Training, and Jeremy Jones, Assistant Professor in Molecular Pharmacology.
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FEEDBACK
The Basic Research Handbook is intended to keep pace with changes in research at City of Hope
and in the needs of the research community.
If you have any comments, corrections and/or suggestions for additions and improvements, please
take a moment to e-mail feedback to Nancy Debretsion at [email protected].